Nigerian singer Magixx has criticized music streaming platforms, alleging that irregularities—particularly the manipulation of streaming figures—are hindering the growth of emerging artists.
The conversation gained traction on Wednesday after the 25-year-old artist took to X to call out musicians who reportedly boost their streaming numbers to create a false impression of popularity.
“Y’all faking your numbers, I hope you sleep well at night… keep deceiving your family members,” he wrote.
Rapper Blaqbonez responded, labeling the practice as “irreversible damage” to the music industry and warning that it could lead to its eventual downfall.
He argued that music charts no longer reflect genuine popularity but instead favour those who can afford to pay for artificial streams.
“The irreversible damage we done to our industry, one day it’d finally come crumbling down,” he wrote via X.
“For now let’s keep acting like the charts mean anything more than a showcase of the people who can afford to buy it, its like itunes in the 2000s all over again. make It go hustle.”
He also cited Ayra Starr’s recent single ‘Hot Body’ as an example, claiming it deserved a top spot on the charts but was sidelined because she hasn’t engaged in what he called “industry agriculture” — a term seemingly referring to artificial stream inflation.
“Ayra Hot body never enter top 10 NG, when we know that song should be number 1 or top 3, but how dem go let am, when she never do industry agriculture,” he added.
Magixx further claimed that the manipulation of streaming numbers and charts is preventing new artistes from breaking through.
“Just so y’all know the reason why we don’t have enough break out Artist these days, is because almost every spot on the Apple Music is bought!” he wrote.
